The Ultimate Nintendo 3DS FAQ – Everything We Know Concerning The 3DS
The Nintendo 3DS is the next generation of Nintendo’s hand-held gaming platform. The DS redefined how portable gaming should be played and the 3DS will continue to revolutionize how we game on the go. Packed with so many different features, the Nintendo 3DS looks to be the quintessential entertainment device.
This can be a compilation of all of the information that has come out regarding the Nintendo 3DS since it’s reveal at E3 2010. Everything we all know about its hardware, technology, design, games and much more are listed here, which is updated accordingly as new information arrives.
ABOUT
The Nintendo 3DS may be the next generation handheld gaming platform, the successor to the present Nintendo DS. “3DS” was a tentative name mentioned in rumors prior to the reveal however it became official when it had been announced as a result during E3 2010.
OVERVIEW
The Nintendo 3DS improves upon the DS design in most way imaginable. It features a similar clamshell design as its predecessor as well as a lot more horsepower under its hood. As the name suggests, the 3DS’ main draw or “gimmick” is the capability to display stereoscopic 3D visuals, providing an event similar to watching 3D movies in the theater, all with no need for any glasses. This 3D result can be turned on or off, or adjusted with respect to the user having a slider located on the right from the system.
SO WHAT’S NEW?
Additional features have an analog controller named the “slide pad”, two lenses located outside the device for 3D images, motion sensing accelerometer and gyroscope, an infrared port, a slider on the right of the top screen to manage the depth of the 3D effect, a home button like the one about the Wii as well as a “telescoping” stylus which will come standard using the system and reach 4 inches when fully extended.
WHAT DIDN’T CHANGE?
Similar to the DSi, the 3DS has got the touch screen at the base, internal camera along with the microphone. The bottom screen also sees a little upgrade-a bump in resolution which has been increased to 320×240 from 256×192. Rumble is nonexistent just like the DSi and unlikely to become included.
PRICE & RELEASE DATE
Neither the price nor the discharge date has been officially announced by Nintendo.
Nintendo has told you that it’ll be available in Japan towards the end of the company’s fiscal year, that is on March 2011. There is a possibility it could come out earlier in both Japan and The united states.
You can expect the Nintendo 3DS to become priced similarly to the current handhelds although no official statement has been made. The prices for the Nintendo ds lite range from the lowest DS Lite at $129.99 towards the DSi XL at $189.99, using the DSi relaxing in the middle at $169.99. Knowing Nintendo, they will wish to remain competitive and you can expect the 3DS to become priced around $200 USD or lower having a possible price drop on the current generation Nintendo ds lite.
Price for Nintendo 3DS software may also hover round the same range as current DS titles according to leaks from Amazon.
DESIGN
The Nintendo 3DS appears like a beefier DSi, utilizing the same clam-shell design. The D-pad has been shifted lower to make room for that slide pad which rests on the top. The 3DS is both wider and thicker compared to DSi. The Nintendo 3DS screen sizes differ, having a widescreen display on the top and also the bottom keeping the 4:3 format.
The Nintendo 3DS has been confirmed in the following colors: black, blue, red, orange and purple.
HOW DOES THE 3D EFFECT WORK?
The 3D effect in the Nintendo 3DS is achieved by a technology which sends two individual images to every eye from the user. As the screen displays each image slightly offset, the brain interprets depth in the same way it does with natural depth perception. The effect is best viewed once the system is held straight in front of them.
HARDWARE
The Nintendo 3DS is a lot more powerful than some of its predecessors both in processing and visual capabilities. To achieve the 3D effect, the system has to render each game field twice for every eyes which is known to be a drain on resources. It’s been noted that the visual performance from the 3DS could be better when the 3D is removed from it.
Digital Media Professional (DMP) is going to be providing Nintendo the graphics processor for the 3DS. The system is with the PICA200 graphics core.
Rumors say that the Nintendo 3DS’ processing abilities exceed the Wii. With 3D shaders, it might be possible to produce games that look closer to PS3 and XBOX 360 games on lower resolution screens.
DUAL SCREENS
The Nintendo 3DS includes a 3.5 inch widescreen display on the top capable of displaying resolutions of 400×240. The machine however renders at 800 x 240 however the resolution in half to exhibit the 3D effect. The sizes from the screens won’t be the same since the top screen is much larger than the underside one.
As mentioned earlier, users can pick to turn off the 3D effect, or alter the depth and intensity the 3D effect having a slider located on the right side of the system. With the effect completely turned off, the experience will be the same as the DSi, albeit with a much more powerful system.
Right now we don’t know who is supplying Nintendo with the 3D displays for the 3DS.
FEATURES & ABILITIES
Aside from gaming, the Nintendo 3DS improves the DS experience in every way imaginable. Nintendo hasn’t shown everything at this time however, you can get more reveals.
During E3 2010, Nintendo announced that capability to watch movies online about the 3DS in, you guessed it, stereoscopic 3D. Nintendo demonstrated this feature during E3 2010 by using 3D trailers for Disney’s Tangled and the way to Train Your Dragon. Based on the press, the 3D effect was exactly like if watching them about the theaters.
The Nintendo 3DS adds an element called “Tag Mode”-a next-gen version from the famed “Bark Mode” from Nintendogs-that enables data exchange between systems when the device is closed. Tag Mode isn’t software exclusive as it is built into every 3DS system.
Rumor has it the Nintendo 3DS will require still photos and record video, both in full 3D. In a comment made by Nintendo boss Satoru Iwata, the machine may also support video chatting as well.
The Nintendo 3DS may have a 3D Virtual Console-like feature based on a comment from Nintendo of America’s president Reggie Fils-Aime. Using the inclusion of the “Home” button, the 3DS could see a brand new UI similar to the channel system from the Nintendo Wii.
According to articles by Japanese publication Nikkei, the Nintendo 3DS may also be used to show magazines and newspapers, akin to e-readers for example Kindle. The Nintendo 3DS does not support rumble so far as we know, nevertheless it seems unlikely to become included.
During a job interview, Shigeru Miyamoto expressed his interests at getting the Miis make their transition to the Nintendo 3DS.
3rd party SUPPORT
Many have pledged support for the system. Companies include Capcom, Atlus, Electronic Arts, Konami and Square Enix. According to various media sources, organizations are “flocking” to develop for the system.
IS THE NINTENDO 3DS BACKWARDS COMPATIBLE?
The Nintendo 3DS is going to be backward suitable for the DSi. It isn’t currently known if older DS games will offer the 3D feature from the 3DS but it seems unlikely.
ONLINE FUNCTIONALITY
Nintendo has pledged to improve both online and downloading experience with a possible revamp of their entire online infrastructure.
Nintendo is considering modes in which the system automatically connects and downloads data, messages, games and more with no user logging in. An useful application for this would be the weather or news delivered to the consumer once they awaken each morning. Nintendo has additionally announced their pursuit of “better digital distribution”, which can mean anything from games, data, movies and trailers, and more.
Based on developers, the Nintendo 3DS may have “achievements”, a close friends list in addition to possible voice chat. Rumors also suggest that Nintendo can get rid of their cumbersome friend codes system through the use of just one code per system.
Rumors claim that the Nintendo 3DS might have cell-phone like options such as 3G. This would make sense with Nintendo’s effort at enriching their online experience as well as their efforts into Tag Mode. Right now we don’t know anything related to the Wi-Fi capabilities of the 3DS but you can expect these phones be similar otherwise upgraded from the current uses on the DSi.
SHOW ME THE GAMES!
Many games have been announced and shown for the Nintendo 3DS, from both Nintendo and third parties alike. Some notable games would be the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, Star Fox 3DS, Kid Icarus Uprising, Kingdom Hearts 3DS, Resident Evil 3DS, and Nintendogs + Cats.
There were many tech demos that were shown during E3 to show the 3DS’ capabilities, however it’s uncertain if they’ll be produced in full releases. Metal Gear Solid 3 was one notable example and even though which was just a tech demo, Hideo Kojima has announced a brand new Metal Gear game just for the Nintendo 3DS. For that full listing of games being released for that 3DS, click here.
MORE INFORMATION
The Nintendo 3DS was announced only a while ago and while we know a lot about this, we do not know everything. Expect additional information to come out like the release date, price as well as additional functions soon.
Small ocarina ~ Love Me Tender ~
